Nutrition feeds the body, mind and soul

By Doreen Boudreau, Director of Marketing Buena Vida Estates

As people age, nutrition and socialization rank right up there with exercise on the ladder of importance. Good nutrition throughout adulthood can help reduce risk of chronic disease as well as help in managing the effects. As an older adult, the food and physical activity choices you make every day affect your health — how you feel today, tomorrow, and in the future.

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, recommend you:

• Make wise choices from every food group.

• Find your balance between the food you eat and the energy you burn.

• Get the most nutrition out of your calories.

Eating right and being physically active are keys to good health at any time of life. For older adults, these healthful habits may help you:

It’s true that no man is an island; we thrive on relationships, with our friends, coworkers, acquaintances and family members. We all need a sense of belonging, of oneness with other human beings, and this is why we socialize. We need an active social life more than ever as we grow old. Instead of keeping busy and finding new friends, many seniors often become depressed because of their growing loneliness. Unfortunately, loneliness can lead to other problems such as alcoholism, heart disease, or even cancer.

Experts say that seniors who enjoy an active social life and combine good nutrition often extend their lives by years. There are an abundance of benefits for socializing other than life extension; stress reduction, a feeling of importance, and a feeling of high self esteem are just a few of the benefits.

Seniors who plan for their tomorrows today and choose a retirement community as their lifestyle have made a choice to be involved and protect their future well being. Getting involved in a retirement community can mean the difference in seniors feeling of loneliness or enjoying a healthy mix of friendships and outside activities.

A recent research study from Harvard University advocates that socializing and good nutrition has as many benefits as regular exercise. Seniors who live in continuing care retirement communities like Buena Vida Estates enjoy daily chef-prepared meals that are nutritionally balanced. At Buena Vida our residents enjoy an elegant dining experience daily, which is a valuable way that seniors can socialize. Overseen by Executive Chef Carl Fortenberry, Buena Vida’s culinary team is second to none. Seasonal favorites, freshly baked bread and delectable desserts are served daily. Professional wait staff provides attentive and friendly service in the casually elegant dining room and the sporty Bistro lounge.

Buena Vida residents enjoy resort style care-free independent living, activities and entertainment. In addition, residents and their families have the peace of mind of the guaranteed contract for life for affordable total life-care, all in one campus. Buena Vida Estates’ continuing care contract protects residents from the rising health care costs that occur with aging. Studies have proven the health benefits of living in a continuing care retirement community —- seniors who live in a CCRC’s are more satisfied with their daily lives than their contemporaries who remain in their homes.